Rear number plate cover

[hatters]

As I promised my little Elan, I have just washed and waxed it and once again it is looking ACE there is hardly a blemish on the body work ,however I am pissed off with taking the rear number plate cover off due to condensation .Whats the best thing to do, is it a good idea to drill a couple of very small holes in it to allow the condensation to escape and drill the holes so there is no water ingress .Or is it a better idea to take it off and try and seal it around the edges when I refit it .And thirdly I suppose I could take it off altogether and do without it .Have any of you guys had a similar problem with this and if so how did you rectify it

[epipete]

My tuppence worth is that my car doesn't have one, I think there was a design change at some point, but it looks fine without it!

I think it's probably better trying to seal it rather than drilling because that is more easily reversed!

Pete

[hatters]

Thanks for that Pete I thought sealing it up would be the best way to sort it too

[bobbrown]

Not so sure sealing it will work as there are also two holes into the boot which if the boot is full of warm air or at least warmer than the outside air you are still going to get condensation on the inside.
When I get round to it I'm going to velcro mine on so that it is reasonable easy to remove wipe the condensation out then put it back.

Bob

[Alan_C]

I got annoyed at mine either full of condensation or warping the number plate in the summer that I changed it for the later non sealed unit, looks better too in my opinion.

[andrewprince]

i heard that the cover was removed on the series 2 at the request of the police, as is was causing reflections for the then new speed cameras

even typing this, it sounds like an urban myth ! but i'm sure that someone who knows what they're talking about will confirm/dismiss...

[DeeAitch]

I've even heard this refered to as an "Anti-Gatso" cover!
As for condensation I'm more than happy when it is almost fully obscured wih it

[DeeAitch]

Double post, darn i pad keyboard - I seem to recall a time when it was possible to delete one of your own posts

[DeeAitch]

Triple post

[old yella]

the number plate cover went about 91.....as a rough guess J reg SE would not have one but a H reg would

[rip]

I've even heard this refered to as an "Anti-Gatso" cover!

Which it isn't. Trust me.

I believe it is more to do with it condensating which makes the plate difficult to read.

[rip]

the number plate cover went about 91.....as a rough guess J reg SE would not have one but a H reg would

Sounds about right to me.


The other option is to seek out a plinth from MattDon which takes Elise S2 rear light clusters. This may not be to everyone's taste though.

[Mikee]

the number plate cover went about 91.....as a rough guess J reg SE would not have one but a H reg would

Yep. J reg - mine.
No cover

I'd quite like one though.

[theelanman]

the number plate cover went about 91.....as a rough guess J reg SE would not have one but a H reg would

Yep. J reg - mine.
No cover

I'd quite like one though.

Different plinths so the cover wouldnt fit your car....

[dapinky]

Both of mine were originally on 'H' plates (March and June) - blue one has perspex cover/plinth, red one doesn't.

[theelanman]

Going off the reg is only a rough guide......youd need to check chassis mumber to ne really acurate....:-/

[surfboardfiller]

Cut holes in the carpet that block the holes already in the rear bodywork. Both plinth types fit all cars but the screw holes may not as they were done by hand/eye.

Take it off from within the boot by lifting/taping the carpet up on the back panel, undo the screws and remove the screws on the outside top edge too.
Re seal the Perspx to the plinth with something good like Tigerseal.
Clean the car and plinth from old stuff.
Seal the plinth to the car with seal tape or silicone and screw it back on with stainless/zinc coated spire nuts and screws.

You may want to buy and fit a pressed metal number plate, whilst the plinth is off and then it will not warp in the hot sun.

[Steve A]

You may want to buy and fit a pressed metal number plate

That's a good tip, I've cooked two plastic plates, it really does get that hot !